A horrifying video posted online appears to show Israeli police
beating a Palestinian-American teenager, shortly after his
detention amid protests that were spawned by the murder of his cousin.

Tariq Khdeir, a 15-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, is a cousin of Mohammed Abu Khdeir, the
Palestinian 16-year-old whose abduction and murder has triggered
days of protests and riots.

The State Department confirmed Saturday night that Khdeir was
being held by Israeli authorities. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the
U.S. is "profoundly troubled" by reports he was beaten and called
for a thorough and quick investigation.

"We are profoundly troubled by reports that he was severely
beaten while in police custody and strongly condemn any excessive
use of force. We are calling for a speedy, transparent and
credible investigation and full accountability for any excessive
use of force," Psaki said in a statement.

"We reiterate our grave concern about the increasing
violent incidents, and call on all sides to take steps to restore
calm and prevent harm to innocents."

The video posted online appears to show two Israeli
policemen punching, kicking, and stomping on the person they had
taken into custody.

A police spokesman, Micky Rosenfeld, said Khdeir had
"attack[ed] security officers," according to The New York Times.
The boy's father, Salah Abu Khdeir, told
The Associated Press his son denied the
allegations.

"I asked my son, 'Did you throw rocks?' He said, 'No,'"
Salah Abu Khdeirtold CNN in an interview.
The boy's mother told ABC in an interview that he was
"unrecognizable" after the alleged beating.